Dancing With The Stars Season 14: Weeks 8 and 9 Recap

Last week (Week 8 of competition) marked the end of the competition for Melissa and Maks and Roshon and Chelsie. It was too bad about Roshon and Chelsie because they had really started to improve by leaps and bounds. Chelsie's choreography for their Foxtrot was fun and really played to Roshon's strengths; he did a beautiful job of executing the steps.

Most Improved Week 8: Roshon and Chelsie, a part of me understands why they had to go last week, but I still find them delightful.

Most Disappointing Week 8: Katherine and Mark; this couple started out fast and furious and last week's performance was full of missteps. The big spin was off, the whole dance was off.

Mr. Smooth Week 8: William! William and Cheryl's Foxtrot was smooth, sexy, and it had tons of flare. I am so happy that Cheryl pushed him to his full potential and hasn't let up.

Most Emotional Week 8: Maria and Derek's Viennese Waltz, this dance was absolutely enchanting, something about the way that they danced said fairytale. Carrie Ann commented on the relationship developing between these two, it's beautiful to see.

Most in Need of the Len "Ten" Week 8: Donald and Peta; I am convinced that before this season is over Donald is going to earn that "ten" from Len. His Tango came pretty close, but it didn't quite satisfy.

Most Forgotten Week 8: Melissa definitely had a loyal fan base, but I suppose that could only take them so far. She and Maks were voted off last week after the judges called her Foxtrot her personal best dance ever.

This week (Week 9 of competition) was wonderful because we got to know more about the remaining four contestants. It was really touching to hear about how far each of them has come, to hear their stories, all the obstacles that they have overcome in their lives.

The Week 9 Highs and Lows--

High-- William and Cheryl's Tango, a 28 out of 30, earned few criticisms.

Low-- Katherine and Mark's Quickstep, although it was a 29 out of 30, I found it sloppy throughout.

High-- Donald and Peta's Waltz was elegant and emotional, but he still has yet to earn a ten from Len. 28 out of 30

High-- Maria and Derek's Argentine Tango was enticing and showed her transformation in this competition beautifully. It earned the only perfect score in round one. 30 out of 30

High-- William and Cheryl's Samba earned a perfect score also. This dance was full of rhythm; William definitely brought it tonight, he was not just a pretty face. 30 out of 30

Low-- Katherine and Mark's Salsa had an odd Egyptian style to it, and Katherine hurt her back. I hope she's okay. 27 out of 30

High/Low-- Donald and Peta's Samba, it was hot, but not hot enough, 29 out of 30.

High-- Maria and Derek's Jive left the judges blown away, they may have won the night. 29 out of 30 

Reality Show Crazy! Dancing with the Stars Edition

Last night was Latin night on Dancing with the Stars and the couples were "en fuego"' there were three dances choices last night: Salsa, Samba, and Argentine Tango. After the night was over, I made my list of favorites: Kym and Jaleel's Samba, Cheryl and William's Argentine Tango, Chelsie and Roshon's Salsa, and Peta and Donald's Argentine Tango, and texted them to my friend. She had texted me earlier in the night when she was done watching, telling me to, "vote for Roshon". She brought up the fact that all my favorite contestants were men. I can justify this by saying that the pros are contestants too, they value a win as much as any amateur. To me, my list also speaks to the fact that the women dancers have really stepped up in the past couple of years in terms of choreography. I think of years past and who my favorite was, and it has always been extremely balanced in terms of male and female.

I decided though that I was being unfair and probably doing something that many of the voting public does every week. I was overlooking a contestant because she isn't well know in the American market, Katherine Jenkins. Yes, she is British, she is an opera singer, and before this show, I had no idea who she was. Every week though, Katherine comes out, and she has this hunger inside her which in turn allows her to dance putting forth her best effort week after week. I will even go as far as saying that I believe she could be in the final three, even she doesn't become a Sabrina Bryant like casualty. She's that good that I wouldn't expect less. Katherine's Argentine Tango had as much fire at my favorite guys on the show.

The Leaderboard:

Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas-- Argentine Tango 29
William Levy and Cheryl Burke-- Argentine Tango 29
Maria Menounos and Derek Hough-- Salsa 29
Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd-- Argentine Tango 27
Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower-- Salsa 26
Jaleel White and Kym Johnson-- Samba 24
Gladys Knight and Tristan McManus-- Samba 22
Melissa Gilbert and Maxsim Chmerkovskiy-- Salsa 21
Gavin DeGraw and Karina Smirnoff-- Samba 19

Reality Show Crazy! Dancing with the Stars Edition

Week four was surprising, Sherri Shepherd was eliminated, completely not what I was thinking or hoping for. Then I was trying to figure out why she was eliminated, it's because the judges' scores last week were totally off. Some couples were under scored and some were over scored.

Sherri Shepherd & Val Chmerkovskiy – Tango
Carrie Ann- 7, Len- 7, Bruno- 7 for a total of 21/30
this score was on point give or take a point

Katherine Jenkins & Mark Ballas – Paso Doble
Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 8, Bruno- 8 for a total of 24/30
over scored

Jaleel White & Kym Johnson – Tango
Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 7, Bruno- 7 for a total of 22/30
under scored

Melissa Gilbert & Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Paso Doble
Carrie Ann- 7, Len- 8, Bruno- 7 for a total of 22/30
on point

Donald Driver & Peta Murgatroyd – Paso Doble
Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 9, Bruno- 9 for a total of 27/30
under scored big time

Gladys Knight & Tristan MacManus – Tango
Carrie Ann- 7, Len- 6, Bruno- 7 for a total of 20/30
on point

William Levy & Cheryl Burke – Jive
Carrie Ann- 7, Len- 7, Bruno- 8 for a total of 22/30
sorry to say, but on point

Roshon Fegan & Chelsie Hightower – Viennese Waltz
Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 8, Bruno- 9 for a total of 26/30
under scored

Maria Menounos & Derek Hough – Tango
Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 8, Bruno- 9 for a total of 26/30
over scored

Gavin DeGraw & Karina Smirnoff – Tango
Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 8, Bruno- 7 for a total of 23/30
on point